The number of workers marks a record in Spain, reaching 22.4 million, but the unemployment rate rises to 10.45%

Never before have there been so many active workers in Spain. The dynamism of the economy, which grew above expectations in the third quarter of the year, continues to give strength to the labor market, where the number of employed people reached 22.38 million between June and September (22.24 million in seasonally adjusted terms), according to the latest Active Population Survey (EPA). However, the fact that there were more people willing to work, who actively looked for a job, raised the unemployment rate almost two tenths to 10.45%.

The data published this Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) show how in the last twelve months the number of Social Security affiliates increased by 562,500 people in seasonally adjusted terms. The employment rate in the population between 16 and 65 years old also represents a new milestone, rising to 68.62%, almost three tenths more than in the second quarter.

In the middle of the summer season, in which a new record of foreign tourist arrivals was recorded and household consumption and business investment grew strongly thanks to the favorable interest rate environment, 118,400 jobs were created (88,700 in seasonally adjusted terms), 0.5% more than in the same period of the previous year. Yet, This is the lowest figure in six years for a third quarterspecifically since 2019, when employment increased by just over 64,000 people.

Unemployment increases… as the active population rises

At the same time, the number of unemployed rose by 60,100 people in the quarter, to exceed 2.61 million. The increase in unemployment is due to the fact that the active population increased by 178,500 people to exceed 25 million. However, this increase contrasts with the decrease of 1,200 unemployed people that was achieved in the same period of 2024. Unemployment had risen by more than 86,000 people between July and September 2023.

Official data show how most of the increase in employment in the third quarter came from the private sector, with an increase of 107,600 people, compared to 10,800 in the public sector. The Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Business highlights that the private sector now has more than 18,854,000 employees.

Households are reduced with all their members unemployed

Another significant fact is that Households that have all their active members employed now exceed 12.03 millionwhich implies an increase of almost 240,000 compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, households with all their active members unemployed decreased by 6,100 compared to the second quarter and total 790,800.

According to data published by the INE, the number of employees rose between July and September by 129,200 people (+0.7%), with an increase in permanent employment of 74,800 people (+0.5), to 16.13 million workers, and a rise in temporary employment of 54,400 employees (+1.8%). Another figure that would point to greater stability is the one that reflects how full-time employment increased by 314,500 peoplewhile part-time fell by 196,100.

“Employment stability continues to increase, with a growth in permanent contracts in the third quarter of almost 75,000up to 16,132,100 people. There are 530,000 more permanent workers than a year ago. The temporary employment rate is a little less than 13% in the private sector,” the department headed by Carlos Body has highlighted.

Employment increased more among men and in Industry

By sex, employment grew this quarter by 107,100 men and 11,300 women, while by sector, employment increased especially in Industry (64,100 more)Services (39,100) and Construction (32,600), while it was reduced in Agriculture (17,400 less). By territory, the greatest increase in employment this quarter occurred in Andalusia (65,500 more) and the greatest decrease in the Community of Madrid (60,700 less).

If the same quarter of the previous year is taken as a reference, there is also a greater increase in male employment (275,000 workers compared to 289,100 female workers), although the most dynamic sector becomes Services, with 315,600 more employees.

In the last year The total number of unemployed fell by 5% after reducing by 140,900 people (123,200 men and 17,800 women less), the decline being more pronounced in Services and Construction, with 12,300 fewer unemployed in both cases, and slightly less in Agriculture (-8,300) and Industry (-3,900). The numbers of unemployed people who have lost their job more than a year ago also improved somewhat in year-on-year terms, since they fell by 91,000, and the number of unemployed people looking for their first job, which fell by 13,100.